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CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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RailUK Forums

Pintman

Pintman

Member
Joined
13 Dec 2023
Messages
190
Location
The Pub
Jordan1991 said:
Yes I’m in the talent bank for another TOC. And I know it’s last but I’m pretty sure it’s not something that takes a life.
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The MMI absolutely does take a life if you fail it, it's one of the psychometric tools used

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

JH-OB said:
MMI is definitely only 2 changes, unless you started the process recently (I think it’s as of Feb this year) when you then get 3
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The process as a whole was 2 chances, now 3, and the MMI is a part of that process. On the old system if you failed a test on your first try and MMI on your second that was still it, it's not 2 goes at each bit
 
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Smudge62

Member
Joined
12 Sep 2016
Messages
7
Tysoe said:
I think the MMI is the hardest as it's a very impersonal interview, yet it relies on the personal opinion of the person interviewing you, if your answer ticks the right boxes.
On my first attempt I passed 5/6 questions and was told which question I failed on.
On my second attempt I had the same questions so used the same answers for the 5 I previously passed and gave a improved answer for the one I previously failed.
I passed the 6th question but failed one of the other questions, even though the answer I gave passed previously. Perhaps it was how I delivered the answer but I don't see how.
My other issue with the process is there is no appeal process for the OPC. What if I felt I had been discriminated against?
Oh well, I got through eventually but would've felt hard done by if that was my last chance
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Can you recall the question you initially didn't pass with?

I was led to believe the psychometric testing and/or exams were generally the harder parts of most TOC driver recruitment. During the computer based assessments with TFW following the paper tests, on a hazard perception type test, the candidate next to me began the same test almost precisely the same time as me. So for that 10 minute or so period, his mouse clicks were less than a second apart from mine . He failed that test with no explanation yet I passed, even though we practically mirrored our responses.

After being told I'd failed the MMI, I asked for feedback and was denied twice and 2 different levels of management. I then submitted what is known as a Subject Access Request. This is legislation that requires the involved company to offer up any and all I formation kept on an individual when requested by that particular person themselves. This comes under GDPR and The data protection act I believe, which unsurprisingly changed the attitude of the recruitment team. The feedback was hollow and generic, as if rushed together. I had failed on a scenario example I'd given involving my duties as a controller of Site safety in my current role. The most in depth answer I'd given on the day as it is something I do daily and had done for 5 years or so at that time. In total, from the first request for feedback to actually recieving any was about 6 weeks.

A friend already driving there noted that the recruitment drive I was a part of seemed to only yield almost exclusively new female drivers. Any of these experiences by themselves I would've likely accepted at face value and moved on, but combined they paint a fairly clear yet inconsistent picture. I felt cheated. I only hope other TOCs don't deploy the same blatant "box ticking" strategy.

I'd understand it if anyone reads this and thinks it's purely just bitterness in response to a personal failure, but this is totally out of character for me. I guess when you really feel unfairly treated or helpless to highlight something you see as wrong, moaning is your only option

In any case, get up, dust off, carry on.
 
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bair26

Member
Joined
25 Mar 2025
Messages
48
Location
Bath
Smudge62 said:
Can you recall the question you initially didn't pass with?

I was led to believe the psychometric testing and/or exams were generally the harder parts of most TOC driver recruitment. During the computer based assessments with TFW following the paper tests, on a hazard perception type test, the candidate next to me began the same test almost precisely the same time as me. So for that 10 minute or so period, his mouse clicks were less than a second apart from mine . He failed that test with no explanation yet I passed, even though we practically mirrored our responses.

After being told I'd failed the MMI, I asked for feedback and was denied twice and 2 different levels of management. I then submitted what is known as a Subject Access Request. This is legislation that requires the involved company to offer up any and all I formation kept on an individual when requested by that particular person themselves. This comes under GDPR and The data protection act I believe, which unsurprisingly changed the attitude of the recruitment team. The feedback was hollow and generic, as if rushed together. I had failed on a scenario example I'd given involving my duties as a controller of Site safety in my current role. The most in depth answer I'd given on the day as it is something I do daily and had done for 5 years or so at that time. In total, from the first request for feedback to actually recieving any was about 6 weeks.

A friend already driving there noted that the recruitment drive I was a part of seemed to only yield almost exclusively new female drivers. Any of these experiences by themselves I would've likely accepted at face value and moved on, but combined they paint a fairly clear yet inconsistent picture. I felt cheated. I only hope other TOCs don't deploy the same blatant "box ticking" strategy.

I'd understand it if anyone reads this and thinks it's purely just bitterness in response to a personal failure, but this is totally out of character for me. I guess when you really feel unfairly treated or helpless to highlight something you see as wrong, moaning is your only option

In any case, get up, dust off, carry on.
Click to expand...
Positive discrimination is still discrimination. I have applied for a few jobs over the years which have openly stated they are looking for candidates from a particular section of society and it makes you aware of the active diversification of workforce but when it’s covert (if true of course) it must smart.
 
Pintman

Pintman

Member
Joined
13 Dec 2023
Messages
190
Location
The Pub
Smudge62 said:
During the computer based assessments with TFW following the paper tests, on a hazard perception type test, the candidate next to me began the same test almost precisely the same time as me. So for that 10 minute or so period, his mouse clicks were less than a second apart from mine . He failed that test with no explanation yet I passed, even though we practically mirrored our responses.
Click to expand...
If one of you failed and the other passed, your responses clearly weren't mirrored
 
S

Smudge62

Member
Joined
12 Sep 2016
Messages
7
Pintman said:
If one of you failed and the other passed, your responses clearly weren't mirrored
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Im shocked you spotted that, it was well hidden that our results weren't similar. Having clicked the same number of times, at the same frequency and whilst presented with the same image, I think most people would have the moral fibre to question why that then resulted in two very varied results
 
Pintman

Pintman

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Joined
13 Dec 2023
Messages
190
Location
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How do you know if they were very varied? It's possible that you scraped above the threshold and they scraped beneath it. Additionally, now do you know you were presented with the same images? Were you watching eachother do the test?
 
S

Smudge62

Member
Joined
12 Sep 2016
Messages
7
We knew because as I said, we both questioned it. Even the exam monitor commented on never having seen it happen before, regarding our test timing being near exact. After the results we spoke to the same person. And even they seemed baffled. The difference wasnt white and black, but more below average and slightly above average. It was still a visible difference that made no sense. I believe the guy was to launch an appeal but I've not seen him since
 
K

Kems91

Member
Joined
30 Jun 2025
Messages
13
Location
Manchester, UK
GPR said:
Update on applications in email boxes.
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mines unsuccessful! Can only blame myself though messed up the timings and thought there was only 20 questions so definitely got 2 wrong although maybe it was the personality questions bit they didn't like about me haha!
 
tiptoptaff

tiptoptaff

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Joined
15 Feb 2013
Messages
3,224
Just checked my online portal, still says pending for me (Bristol)

And I've had no email

Maybe it's depot specific?
 
C

chalkijr

Member
Joined
13 Apr 2023
Messages
188
Location
Crewe
Kems91 said:
I was in for Man Picc and got an unsuccessful one so no email yet could be good news so good luck
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Sorry to hear that pal, is this your first time applying?

I've got my fingers and toes crossed. All this waiting is the worst part...
 
K

ku_ku_ka_cho

Member
Joined
17 Apr 2024
Messages
44
Location
Cambridge
Reactor Scram said:
Some in the Talent Pool have had communication from Andy when they've reached out to him.

I believe course allocation for June 25 was: Birmingham x 3, Derby x 2, Newcastle x 2, Edinburgh x 1.

And I understand the upcoming September 25 course is: "Birmingham and north depots"

Scrolling back through this thread it looks like Cambridge last took someone in Jan 25.

Stick with it, there are a few who have been waiting longer and they are crunching through it. Take the positive that next course to be allocated is Jan 26 and it looks like Cambridge won't have taken anyone for a year by then so maybe it could be time by then.

You have done your DMI, yes? Looking back at your messages, you said you still were yet to do one?
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I did a Zoom interview with two driver managers before then attending and passing the assessment centre. I dont believe this was a DMI, more a sift style interview but having passed the assessment centre then expected to either get a DMI which has never materialised...and its been radio silence since September last year lol.
 
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